NMS Ionising Radiation Metrology Programme 2001-04 Theme 3...

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Neutron User’s Club

25 September 2001

NMS Ionising

Radiation Metrology

Programme 2001-04

Theme 3 Neutron

Metrology

David Thomas CIRM

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Theme 3 – Neutron Metrology

3.6 Van de Graaff /SAMES? MMF

FluenceStandards

3.1 Radionuclide-based 3.2 Accelerator-based

3.3 Comparisons & demonstration of equivalence

3.4 Neutron Spectrometry 3.5 Neutron Dosimetry Applications

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Project 3.1 – Radionuclide-based standards

Deliverables:

• Maintenance of manganese bath and

moderator detector

• Routine measurements of NPL source

emission rates

• Investigation of 250Cf in 252Cf sources

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4

250Cf in 252Cf

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Cfhlife.opj

Percentage error, as a function of age of the source and

% 250

Cf contamination if the half life is assumed to be that for 252

Cf

0% 250

Cf at age zero

5% 250

Cf at age zero

10% 250

Cf at age zero

15% 250

Cf at age zero

20% 250

Cf at age zero

% e

rror

for

'pre

dic

ted' em

issio

n r

ate

Age of source in half lives

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Project 3.2 – Accelerator-based standards

Deliverables

• Regular validation of fluence and energy standards

• Implement spectrometry for target condition

monitoring

• Time-of-flight developments

• Determination of long counter effective centres

• Determine optimum position for shadow cones

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Use of NPL fluence standards

• Routine calibrations/checks of area survey

instruments and personal dosemeters

• Type testing, mainly response function

measurements for old and new dosimetry

devices and spectrometers

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Types of measurements performed

Typical customers

• Secondary calibration labs, device manufacturers,

MoD, dosimetry services, Government

establishments

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Neutron area survey instruments

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Neutron personal dosemeters

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Project 3.3 – Comparisons for equivalence

Deliverables

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• Conclusion of thermal and

monoenergetic comparisons

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Project 3.5 – Neutron dosimetry

Deliverables

• 241Am-Be source international

comparison

• EUROMET survey instrument calibration

comparison

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• Conclusion of thermal and

monoenergetic comparisons

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Project 3.4 – Neutron Spectrometry

• Why should we do work on neutron spectrometry at NPL?

• To support the standards both radionuclide source based and accelerator based.

• To provide insight into the true extent of the problem of measuring neutron dose equivalent.

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10-3

10-2

10-1

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

10-2

10-1

100

101

Thermal

Illustration of under- and over-read for some area survey instruments

areasurv.opj

Harwell 0949

EG&G LB6411

5" TEPC

H*(

10)

response

Neutron energy (MeV)

Neutron area survey meter responses

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Personal dosemeter responses

10-3

10-2

10-1

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

10-2

10-1

100

101

Thermal

Under- and over-read for samples of personal dosemeters

persdms.opj

Track-etch plastic P1

Track etch plastic P2

Track etch plastic P3

NTA film N1

Hp(1

0)

(10,0

o)

response

Neutron energy (eV)

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Measured neutron spectra

10-3

10-2

10-1

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

A selection spectra measured at sites in the nuclear industry

PWR fuel flask (France)

Fuel pin assembly area

Gas cooled reactor

Flu

ence

(E

* Φ

(E))

[cm

-2]

Neutron energy [eV]

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Project 3.4 – Neutron Spectrometry

Deliverables

• Maintenance and regular checks of spectrometers

• Use of battery powered electronics for Bonner sphere spectrometers

• Investigate combined unfolding of multiple spectrometers

• Improvements to response matrices

• Update SPKTBIB database

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Users of NPL Neutron Spectrometry service

• Power stations

• Cyclotron manufacturer

• Hospitals – around therapy LinAcs

• Fuel processing/reprocessing

• Radionuclide source manufacturers

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Project 3.5 – Neutron dosimetry

Deliverables

• Validate simple technique for neutron

measurements at LinAcs

• Characterise dual instrument system

• Measurements in realistic fields facility

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Realistic field spectrum

10-3

10-2

10-1

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

0.20

Trawsfynydd

Calder Hall

NPL Realistic field

Gcreactcomp.opj

Gas-cooled reactors

E.Φ

(E)

Energy (eV)

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Real fields and calibration fields

10-3

10-2

10-1

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

Trawsfynydd

241

Am-Be

Cadarache realistic field

Gcreactcomp.opj

E.Φ

(E)

Energy (eV)

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Project 3.5 – Neutron dosimetry

Deliverables

• Extension of capabilities for dosimetry

with TEPCs

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• Characterise dual instrument system

• Validate simple technique for neutron

measurements at LinAcs

• Measurements in realistic fields facility

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Project 3.6 – Major facilities maintenance

Deliverables

• Maintenance of the Van de Graaff facility

• Development of the Van de Graaff facility

• Transfer of 14 MeV standard to AWE

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End